Across the world, young people are proving themselves to be among the most powerful forces for positive change. Cordaid has seen this firsthand through its Young People Behind Cameras initiative, which trains young leaders to make their own advocacy films and tell their own stories, rather than having those stories told for them.
The approach has now reached South Sudan, where a new generation of filmmakers is using video to speak directly about the issues shaping their communities.
Watch this introduction video of Young People Behind Cameras in South Sudan:
South Sudan is one of the youngest countries in the world, not only in terms of its history but also its population, with more than 65 per cent of people under the age of 25. Yet decades of conflict, environmental stress and deep socio-economic inequality have left the country ranked third on the Fragile States Index. Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has faced overlapping crises that make inclusive, participatory peacebuilding more urgent than ever.
Although young people make up the majority of the population, their potential as agents of change and conflict resolution is too often overlooked by policymakers and the media.
Powerful Community Actors
Cordaid recognises youth as powerful community actors whose participation and leadership are essential to resolving conflict and building lasting peace. To support this potential, Cordaid invests in meaningful partnerships that build skills, amplify young voices and create opportunities for them to channel their energy and creativity towards positive change.
The Young People Behind Cameras initiative was first piloted in 2023, training youth groups in videomaking in various countries so they could produce their own advocacy films and share their stories with a wider audience. The project’s success and the enthusiasm of those who took part led Cordaid to repeat the initiative in 2025 under the Just Future programme, this time working with young leaders from South Sudan.
Hybrid Training Model
Despite unstable internet connections, limited equipment, and competing responsibilities, participants worked together through a hybrid training model. Their resilience, commitment and determination to contribute to a more peaceful and inclusive South Sudan were evident throughout the process.
The result was a series of short advocacy videos, co-created by the participants themselves. Grounded in lived experience, the films shine a light on pressing issues facing South Sudan today and align closely with the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security and 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
What the Films Explore
Youth, Entrepreneurship and Peace looks at how economic opportunity can lay the foundations for peace. Young leaders highlight the risks posed by unemployment to stability and showcase initiatives that create livelihoods and help rebuild communities.
Youth, Poverty and Gender Inequality amplifies the voices of young women navigating inequality, calling for targeted investment in education, income opportunities and gender justice. The film makes clear that lasting peace cannot be achieved without gender equality.
Disability is not Inability shares testimonies from people with disabilities, challenging exclusion and demanding dignity, representation and full participation in peace and political processes.
Security and Safety in Communities reveals women’s daily experiences of insecurity, from unsafe streets to restricted movement, and calls for protection and accountability that responds to the realities of gender, arguing that safety is fundamental to peace and justice.
Youth Tackling Gender-Based Violence covers the issue of violence against women. An estimated 65% of the women and girls in South Sudan experience physical and sexual violence in their lifetime.
A Celebration of the Journey
Towards the end of the programme, Cordaid South Sudan organised a launch event in Juba to mark the completion of the video advocacy training project. Youth participants gathered alongside representatives from civil society, diplomatic missions and UN agencies for what proved to be an inspiring milestone for everyone involved.
The Young People Behind Cameras initiative shows that young people are ready and eager to be trusted with the tools, skills and platforms to speak for themselves. Across themes of peace, livelihoods, gender equality, inclusion and security, their advocacy videos offer clear, grounded and urgent calls for change.